Alexander Chene House facts for kids
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Alexander Chêne House
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Alexander Chene House, 1983
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| Location | 2681 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Demolished | April 1991 |
| MPS | East Jefferson Avenue Residential TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002936 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 9, 1985 |
The Alexander Chêne House was a historic home in Detroit, Michigan. It stood at 2681 East Jefferson Avenue. This house was very important because it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. It was also named a Michigan State Historic Site in 1986. Sadly, the house was torn down in April 1991.
Contents
What Did the Alexander Chêne House Look Like?
The Alexander Chêne House was a two-story building. It was built in the Federal style, which was popular in the early United States. Later, some Colonial Revival features were added to its front.
The house was made of red bricks and sat on a slightly raised basement. A small porch with one story was in the middle of the front of the house. The side walls went up past the roof, forming a unique shape. A small decorative border, called a cornice, ran across the front. The windows had fancy iron decorations above them. In the 1900s, an extra room was added to the back of the house.
History of the Chêne House
The Chêne House was one of the few buildings in Detroit built in the Federal style. Alexander Chêne built it in 1850. The land it stood on was given to the Chêne family by King Louis XIV of France way back in 1707.
Who Lived in and Used the House?
Later, Charles B. Warren owned the house. He added the back part of the house sometime between 1902 and 1914.
The house was also used as a fraternity house for students from the University of Detroit. During a time called Prohibition, when alcohol was illegal, the house was used as a secret bar, known as a speakeasy.
From Restaurant to Demolition
Starting in 1935, the house became a fancy restaurant called Little Harry's. The restaurant had several different owners over the years. It finally closed its doors in 1990.
The house was then sold to the famous singer Anita Baker. In 1991, the historic building was torn down. An International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant was built in its place.
Gallery
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Little Harry's Restaurant, c. 1930
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Site where the house once stood (now IHOP parking lot)
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Alexander Chêne para niños
